Gavin Porteous and Jamie Spencer came over from Australia in a blaze of glory to the IOM TT and after their first visit went away a brace of 9th place finishes, the 93 season saw Gavin return with a change of passenger ( Scott Butler ) but problems left them with only one mid thirties finish from 2 rides.
Gavin returned to the island in 94 in the hope of better things, but a crash just beyond Sarah's Cottage during practice ended Gavin's TT ambitions.....

I recall passing the incident with Franco Martinel and once again the thought would pass through my mind 'FM, if these quick guys can get it wrong, there is nowt down for the rest of us'

Gav had a few outings after the crash where he was still very quick. He lengthened the left handlebar on his F1 short bike to compensate for his right arm. Last I heard he was racing cars & doing very well in his class.

Myself and Nick were so close to being part of that crash on the Monday morning. Gavin had gone out first with a passenger new to the TT. We went out fourth, by the time we got to Crosby we had passed Howard Langham and Eddy Wright. I had forgoten about Gavin and in the twisty bits after Ballacraine he must have been just out of sight. As we left Sarahs the main part of the outfit was cartwheeling along the bankside on the left I missed that but was then heading for the front wheel and forks. I managed to just avoid them and ran over part of the bodywork. The timing of the crash meant that I couldnt see anyone was in front and the marshals hadnt time to react. It was a big crash, Gavins shoulder joint was pushed into his rib cage. He was a hard man. He was out of Hospital watching the last sidecar race.

Gavin is livin it up in South Australia, after his crash and some recovery, he did get back out there on a short F1 bike, and on his return managed to claim the Australian Title. He then retired from 3 wheels and is now competing in the HQ (car)races over here in Aust, and doing pretty well in that as well.

I raced for Gav for part of one season..... I was a crap passenger, so Gav got me my own outfit to ride. He then taught me how to ride that, but I was not much better at riding. He was a Guru on an outfit though. Even with one arm. He is still very competitive, but racing HQ Holden cars these days.